Jenni
Olson's Joy of Life at SF Camerawork,
January 4–February 24

Out filmmaker Jenni Olson's The Joy of Life will premiere at the new SF Camerawork gallery as part of a new show called "Traces of Life on the Thin Film of Longing," an exhibition that also showcases films by Jem Cohen and Natalie Zimmerman. The films consider the photographic image in relation to film and video. Each work, though differing in subject matter and narrative technique, is composed of lengthy still shots of the urban environment, an approach reminiscent of a photo essay. The Joy of Life, composed entirely of still shots of San Francisco, features a two-part narrative voice-over by a young butch lesbian recounting the trials and tribulations of her love life and trying to come to terms with the grim history of the city's suicide landmark: the Golden Gate Bridge.

The opening reception is Thursday, January 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition runs through February 24. The SF Camerawork gallery is located on the second floor at 657 Mission St. (between 3rd Street and New Montgomery Street). Call (415) 512-2020. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Also on tap at the gallery, Jenni Olson and March Henrich present an eclectic mix of audio delights relating to life in San Francisco on Friday, February 9, at 6 p.m.

For more information go to www.sfcamerawork.org/exhibitions.html#traces.